GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Someday, the Bethune-Cookman men’s track team may have a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference meet that doesn’t come to a narrow escape in the 4X400 relay. And if that happens, Head Coach Donald Cooper won’t know to do.
Until then, Cooper’s almost getting to use to these dramatic finishes … because they’re producing championships.
The Wildcats defended their Men’s Outdoor Track championship with a one-point victory (139-138) over North Carolina A&T Saturday at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T. In addition to defending their outdoor title, the Wildcats made it a sweep of both the 2015 indoor and outdoor titles.
Both came to holding off North Carolina A&T in the final event. Both championships were decided by a combined 2.5 points.
“It was indoor all over again,” Cooper said. “And it was just as intense. The blood is rushing, I’m heading under the stands to catch my breath. But what a tremendous accomplishment. I’m very proud of my staff for the work they put in to prepare us for this moment.”
The 4X400 relay team of Tremayne Banks, Donavon Frater, Christopher Jackson and Jonathan Moore delivered the deciding point with its eighth place finish after North Carolina A&T whittled down a 14-point Wildcat advantage after 16 events down to five points. The Aggie relay team came in fourth.
Banks had already scored in three Saturday events – a third in the 110 hurdles, a seventh in the 100 meter dash and a third in the 200, and Ricy Brown delivered with a second in the 1500, a fourth in the 800 and a key sixth place finish in the 300 meter steeplechase that helped slow down North Carolina A&T’s late charge.
“Those guys were the workhorses,” Cooper said of Banks and Brown. “Time and time they stepped up. Treymane went toe-to-toe with [Hampton’s Trey Hollaway] in the 110 hurdles. Ricy’s effort in the steeplechase split North Carolina A&T’s points and was a main contributor to our run.”
Sophomore Michael Tiller delivered B-CU’s lone first place win Saturday with a leap of 51’7” that edged defending champion Keenan Smith of North Carolina A&T.
“That victory starting turning the tide our way,” Cooper said of Tiller.
Sophomore Kenneth Fisher was denied a repeat as long jump champion, but garnered the event’s outstanding field award. He scored 21 points with second places in long jump and high jump and added a fourth Saturday in the triple jump.
“He just wanted to be a guy who helped the team,” Cooper said of Fisher. “He sacrificed his long jump to work on the high and triple jumps. Doing all three is taxing.”
B-CU also got third place finishes from Angelo Cabrera and Chris Collins’ career throw in the javelin.
JOHNSON WINS 100, TAKES SECOND IN 200 FOR LADY WILDCATS
Tristie Johnson highlighted the Lady Wildcats’ third-place finish by winning the 100 meter dash and taking second in the 200 Saturday.
The junior broke her own meet record in the 100 with a time of 11.26 and battled Hampton’s LeQuisha Parker in the 200. Parker, a senior, posted a 23.16 to Johnson’s 23.28.
“Tristie got off to a slow start in the outdoor season, but she came on strong,” Cooper said. “Breaking her own record is a great achievement. Parker was a little too much, but next year’s 200 should belong to Tristie.”
Bethune-Cookman led the team standings entering the final day, but Florida A&M overtook the Lady Wildcats early. Summer Brown, who earlier had a third in the triple jump, helped B-CU close to within two points after the 400 hurdles, but the Rattlers pulled away after the 200 and held off a late Hampton run.
Florida A&M posted 111 points to win their first MEAC Women’s Outdoor title since 2000 and 10th overall. Hampton (105) was second, and Bethune-Cookman finished with 92.33 points.
“You had three tough teams,” Cooper said. “Florida A&M’s always been a powerhouse and they finally put it together. We’ll get it together and make a
nother run next year.”
B-CU now turns its attention to the NCAA Easter Regional May 28-30 in Jacksonville.
COMPLETE RESULTS
COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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